In the first aliyah of Parshas Vayeitzei, Yaakov is on the run from his home. Even though Yaakov was leaving Eretz Yisroel, he was not subject to the curse of the earth. He knew that Hashem is there, all of the way, anywhere--therefore, he was able to expand outside of Eretz Yisrael. In Eretz Yisrael, it is easier to see the connection with Hashem. Yaakov shows us that even in golus (exile), it is possible to bring Hashem's presence down to this earth.

08 - Vayigash - Shema, Sim Shalom, and the Shavtim

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

Yaakov Avinu said Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad when he reunited with Yosef. At the end of Shemoneh Esrei we ask for shalom and say Barcheinu Avinu Kulanu Kechad. The Shevatim were nervous that Yosef was going to take revenge when Yaakov passed away. Yosef, on the other hand, truly recognized everything as from Hashem and therefore was not upset and enabled the unity amongst his family. When we recognize that everything is from Hashem we are able to be together.

In the first aliyah of Parshas Vayishlach, Yaakov prepares for his encounter with Eisav. Yaakov is very scared for his encounter with Eisav, as he represents the opposite of what Yaakov stands for. Yaakov is deferential to Eisav in this world, but he is afraid of the rah, bad, of Eisav. In Yaakov's world, everything that Hashem is and does is good, and he needs to experience it as such in this world-therefore, the bad of Eisav is frightening.

090 - Emor 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

091 - Emor 2

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

092 - Emor 3

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

093 - Emor 4

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

094 - Emor 5

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

095 - Behar-Bechukosai 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

096 - Behar-Bechukosai 2

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

097 - Behar-Bechukosai 3

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

098 - Behar-Bechukosai 4

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

099 - Bamidbar 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Hoshana Rabba, Bereishis - Kayin and Hevel

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Lech Lecha - The Emunah of Avraham and The Emunah of Shem

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Lech Lecha -The Mystery of Lot- 3rd Aliyah

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

The third aliyah of Parshas Lech Lecha discusses Lot, a mysterious, enigmatic personality. Although he starts off subordinate to Avraham, learning from him as a student, after they go to Mitzrayim he separates from him and goes to live in Sedom. He enjoyed the immorality of Mitzrayim and the fact that it is not connected to Hashem for rain, and saw that Sedom had similar aspects. This immorality became part of his existence in a significant manner. The nations that came from him, Amon and Moav, came about through this kind of immoral behavior. As Klal Yisroel, we are the opposite-we celebrate our dependence on Hashem and the fact that we build relationships of connection and meaning.

1 - Lech Lecha 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Noach 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Noach 1

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Returning to Gan Eden - Chayei Sarah - Burial in Chevron

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1 - Vayeira – Chessed l’Avraham

by Hauer, Rabbi Moshe

1- Hoshana Rabba, Bereishis- The Generations of Adam & The Mystery of Chanoch